“I love that after a day when nothing is sure, and when I say ‘nothing’, I mean nothing, you can come home and absolutely know that if you add egg yolks to chocolate and sugar and milk, it will get thick. It’s such a comfort.”
– Julie, from the movie Julie & Julia
The same thing happens when you add egg yolks to apples and sugar and flour. Steevenson and I mixed them together (along with baking soda, brown sugar, cinnamon, vegetable oil and vanilla) on Saturday. Then, we pushed them all into a pan and, 350 degrees and 45 minutes later, we called it cake.
I’m gluten, dairy, and sugar-free, so no heaping hunk of warm apple cake smothered in salted caramel ice cream for me, but oh how I enjoyed making it. And you know what? There’s something deeply satisfying about willpower too. And the ability to stick with things can be of such infinite importance. C.S. Lewis said, “It is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of“.
Although he probably wasn’t talking about walking away from apple cake. 😉
***
Now it’s Sunday afternoon. Time to rest. It’s raining outside and I feel cozy under this heavy blanket on the couch. Steevenson is curled up on my left and my church program sits atop the tray table on my right. I scribbled notes from our pastor’s message all over it this week…
“Be close in relationship with people who don’t know the Good News. Don’t shout it at them from at a distance. Be close enough to whisper it.”
“A person of God on the move is really about one beggar trying to tell another beggar where to find food.”
“The last words of Jesus ought to be the first thing we do.” (Read Matthew 28:16-20)
“The word GO appears in the Bible over 1500 times.”
***
Sometimes, I get nervous about going to church. What with all the people, and loud music, and “party time” where we’re encouraged to strike up a conversation with a stranger. But it’s never as intimidating as my apprehension tells me it will be, and I’m always glad I went. Today, I sat in the outermost chair on the very back row and used my sleeve as a tissue while a grown woman plugged her nose and leaned backward inside a giant tub of water on the stage. The congregation started clapping before she even splashed back up and I felt a lump form in my throat thinking about how it feels to re-enter the room that way. Washed free of your broken yesterdays. Surrounded by others who keep gathering together to declare evil and death powerless against Love. Knowing that whatever each day brings, and no matter how many struggles, stressors, or symptoms come with it, we are here to exist in this extraordinary unity. And Jesus can help keep us on track. He helped people do it in person 2000-ish years ago, and every time I read the Bible, I feel like He’s saying that He still can.
***
Underneath my anxious feelings, I sense the presence of a firm foundation that’s thick and comforting, and I’m so grateful for that truth. So here’s to Sundays, and salvation, and sweets…especially if you’re allowed to eat them! 😉
Apple Cake
In a large bowl, mix together:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
To those dry ingredients, add:
3 cups peeled, diced apples
1 cup chopped pecans, or walnuts, or almonds. (We skipped this step because Kevin isn’t a fan.)
Mix well.
To the same bowl, now add:
1 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Stir well to combine all ingredients. Press batter into ungreased 9″ x 13″ pan and pat smooth. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Wishing you a sweet and satisfying week, friends.
Layla
PS- I typed up this post before the storms ripped through central Alabama last night. We took shelter underground here in Pike Road, but a tornado never did end up touching down. Many people (of all ages) lost their lives just two counties over and we were devastated to hear that news when we woke up this morning. Thank you for joining us in prayer for those who are struggling in Lee County today and stay tuned for information about how we can all help.
Pie looks yummy! So glad you and Steevenson are safe!
Thank you, Janet! 🙂
What a beautiful inspiring post! I look forward to your posts. God Bless.
Thank you so much, Marilyn! I appreciate your kind words so much! 🙂
Layla, I am so glad to hear you all are okay in light of the storms that passed so close to you!
Thank you, Karen. Apparently, it was rotating one street over from us but didn’t touch down til it got to Lee County. So scary!
I will be making this apple cake soon. Looks yummy! So glad you and your family are safe and we will be praying for everyone in the path of this terrible tornado.
Thank you, Doris. We just found out the tornado went right over the street next to ours, but thankfully didn’t touch down. I’m heartbroken for all the folks affected in Lee County. I just can’t imagine what they’re going through right now. 🙁
Thankful you and your family are safe. Praying for those affected by the storms.
Your cake looks yummy-willgive it a try.
Let me know how you like it, friend! 😀
Beautiful, reflective post! Thanks for sharing! Jesus is the truest, best foundation!
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-17
Thank you, Jenn! And thank you for adding that verse here, too. So powerful!
Yummy quick apple cake!! Maybe try Cassava flour or even Bobs Red Mill gluten free flour instead of regular flour! And coconut ice cream is really yummy!! I’d replace vegetable oil with Olive oil or even Avocado Oil too. Thx for reminding me of such a good & quick cake!! Bon Appetit!!
Ooh! Thanks for the tips, Kary! I will definitely look for that flour and coconut is one of my FAVORITES! I used avocado oil tonight and will remember to use that next time I’m baking an apple cake, too!
Thank you for the recipe and so happy you and your baby are safe. Cant wait to try recipe. Lots of prayers for the families there.
And I love your glasses!
Thank you, Precious! And I got my glasses at EyeBuyDirect.com. They’re so fun and inexpensive!
I used to HAVE to sit backrow outside chair when
I first started back to church. After a few years
I could sit middle row middle chair! I always
Was late for Sunday School because i watched
The baptisims and i was the teacher late for
Class!! 😳🙂 cake looks delish! Take care
Thank you, Sarita…for your kind words AND for sharing your Sunday story! 😀
Thank you for another wonderful post. I always look forward to reading them!
Thank you, Bev! I always look forward to writing them! 🙂
Layla, I’ve never commented before, but tonight I just want to say I’m grateful to see your post and to know your family is okay. When we saw the weather report last night here in North Carolina, I immediately thought of you and your family. Prayers ascending for those affected. You are a joy.
Thought of you when I heard about the storm. You are the only one I know in Alabama;). Glad to know that you and your family are doing well. Praying for those that need it today. Just popped my Apple cake, because of your recipe 😋I was inspired and we had an abundance of apples. Can’t wait to taste it and share with my kids when they get home from school:)
Our family has a similar apple cake recipe and thinking of it brings up happy thoughts for me–so thank you for the reminder!
I didn’t realize you lived so close to where the tornadoes were. It’s heart-rending to watch the news coverage. Prayers for those affected and thankfulness for your family’s safety.
Layla, Thank you for sharing your pastor’s messages. They are powerful and inspiring. Prayers for you and your family and all of those affected by the storms.
I too am gluten and sugar free. The other lady mentioned Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour. Also I have discovered coconut sugar also known as coconut palm sugar. It reminds me of brown sugar. You might try it in place of white sugar. No nasty aftertaste like artificial sweeteners.
I’m loving your blog, Layla. Binge watching today from San Antonio, TX. On a short vaca so headed back to our home north of Orlando this Friday. Love reading your biblical quotes and musings in church and fellowship. Sometime I’ll tell you my story on how God nudged my hubby and I to leave the comfort of our church & home in Louisville, Ky. He lead us right into a smaller church and announced LOUDLY Journey Christian Church was to be our new “home.” In the interim I heard something the other day that maybe I had forgotten or just didn’t ever think about…the Years we live in are all based on when Jesus walked the earth! As in A.D. and B.C……it has been exactly 2,019 years since Jesus was here!! B.C. is relative to the years BEFORE Christ. (I know you know that). I just don’t think we think about it much. Thought I’d pass that thought along to you since you mentioned two thousandishyears😍. You brighten my day, Layla. I too suffer from panic attacks…but I’ve learned how to talk myself through them pretty well. Bless you for sharing.
On another note, where do I get those nail covers??
Thank you, Debbie! And that little tidbit about 2,019 is actually the very first thing that piqued my interest about getting to know more about Christ when I was in my 30s! And strangely enough, I *just* brought that very same information to an unbelieve in my life YESTERDAY! 😀 How wild that you commented about the SAME thing!
Here’s a link to my nail shop: Lettered Cottage Nails
Thanks for taking the time to swing by! XO